Can Drivers Change Employers While Holding a Previous Employer’s Work Permit

A foreign truck driver who holds a current work permit for one employer but wants to move to another faces an important question: can the existing permit be transferred, or is something more required? The general answer is that a work permit is tied to a specific employer and role, so moving to a new employer typically requires new authorisation rather than relying on the old permit. Understanding this helps drivers change jobs correctly and stay compliant. This guide explains the position. It is general information; confirm your situation with official sources.

A Permit Is Tied to the Employer

A work permit authorises a specific worker to do a specific job for a specific employer. It is not a general licence to work for anyone. This means that holding a permit for one employer does not authorise work for a different employer. So when a driver wants to change employers, the existing permit generally does not cover the new role, and new authorisation is needed for the new employer.

Why New Authorisation Is Needed

Because the permit is employer-specific, the new employer typically must obtain the appropriate work authorisation for the new role — or, for a single permit, the driver applies reflecting the new employment. The current permit does not remove this requirement; it applies only to the original employer. Arranging the new authorisation is the essential step in a compliant employer change. You can review related guidance at fastdriver.eu/europe/work-permit.

Managing the Transition

The practical path is to secure the new role, have the new employer arrange the appropriate authorisation, and coordinate the timing so that the new employer authorises you before you start that work. Your residence status must remain valid throughout your stay. Working for the new employer without proper authorisation carries serious consequences, so we need to wait until the new authorisation is in place before starting.

What Carries Over

Your driving licence and Code 95 are personal qualifications that carry over unchanged when you change employers, so these do not need redoing. The focus of an employer change is squarely on the work authorisation and maintaining lawful status. With the new authorisation arranged and timed correctly, changing employers is straightforward.

Key Facts

• A work permit is tied to a specific employer and role.
• Holding one permit does not authorise work for another employer.
• New authorisation is generally needed for a new employer.
• Licence and Code 95 carry over unchanged.

Important Insights

The employer-specific nature of the permit is the key point: changing employers means new authorisation, not transfer of the old permit. Coordinating the new authorisation and timing — and not working for the new employer until authorised — keeps the change compliant.

Latest Developments

Poland’s reforms reshaped the permit process and tightened compliance. Confirming the current process for obtaining new authorisation when changing employers ensures you transition correctly.

Benefits and Challenges

The benefit is the ability to move to a better role; the challenge is arranging new authorisation without working unlawfully in the meantime. Coordinating timing addresses this.

Future Outlook

With strong driver demand, changing employers is common, and the employer-specific permit model means new authorisation will remain the standard step in a move.

Key Takeaways

• The existing permit does not transfer to a new employer.
• The new employer arranges new authorisation.
• Coordinate timing and maintain lawful status.
• Do not start new work until authorised.

Conclusion

A driver cannot simply use a previous employer’s work permit for a new employer, because a permit is tied to a specific employer and role. Changing employers generally requires the new employer to obtain new authorisation for the new role, with timing coordinated so you are authorised before starting. The licence and Code 95 carry over, so the focus is on authorisation and status. Fastdriver.eu connects drivers with employers and points to official resources so transitions stay smooth. This is general information and not legal advice; confirm your situation with official sources.

Official Links

• Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców): gov.pl/web/udsc
• Work permit and declaration portal (praca.gov.pl): praca.gov.pl
• Voivodeship Office foreigner services (find your województwo): gov.pl urzędy wojewódzkie
• Social Insurance Institution (ZUS): zus.pl
• National Health Fund (NFZ): nfz.gov.pl
• National Labour Inspectorate (PIP): gov.pl/web/pip

FastDriver Resources for Drivers

• Work permits in Europe
• National work visa
• Code 95 (Driver CPC) eligibility
• Driving licence recognition
• Tachograph driver card
• Free driver account

Glossary

• Voivode (wojewoda) — the regional governor who issues work permits.
• Zezwolenie na pracę — a work permit (Type A is the most common for drivers).
• Single permit — one decision combining temporary residence and work.
• Sworn translation (tłumaczenie przysięgłe) — a certified Polish translation required for foreign documents.

Rules, fees, and processing times vary by voivodeship. Always confirm the current requirements with the official authorities above before applying.